Are Fewer Young Veterinarians Buying Into or Starting Their Own Veterinary Practices?

Karl Salzsieder, DVM, JD, CVA, Owner of Salzsieder & Associates, TPSG, LLC / DBA Total Practice Solutions—Northwest, discusses why fewer veterinarians are buying into or starting their own veterinary practices.

Interview Transcript (slightly modified for readability)

“Yes, it is true that there are less young veterinary buyers. It is generally true because the younger generation wants more work / life balance. They are afraid that the responsibility of ownership will not allow them to have that.

The other thing that they are sometimes under is a false pretense that they cannot get loans to buy, with their student loans. But, that is not true, either, if their student loans are within a reasonable amount. Generally, $150,000 or less for the full term of veterinary school.

That means those foreign graduates, that might sometimes have twice that in student loans are not able to get financing to buy a practice until they pay that down.”